Press release from the California Highway Patrol:

On Monday, November 4, at 11:03 a.m., the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Humboldt Communications Center received a call of a single-vehicle traffic crash on southbound State Route 169, south of Notchko Flat Road. CHP Humboldt Area units responded to investigate the incident.

During the initial investigation, it was determined that the driver of the Nissan was traveling on State Route 169 southbound, south of Notchko Flat Road, approaching a left turn in the roadway. For unknown reasons, the driver allowed the Nissan to leave the west edge of the roadway and go down a downhill embankment. This caused the Nissan to roll over until the roof of the Nissan collided with a tree and came to rest against it. Emergency medical responders said the driver of the Nissan died at the scene.

State Route 169 was closed periodically for approximately three and a half hours and has since been reopened. Alcohol and/or drug(s) consumption is unknown at this time. This incident remains under investigation by the Humboldt Area CHP.

For more information, contact P. Craft, CHP Humboldt Region Public Information Officer, at (707) 822-5981.